Amador County – Jackson City Council on Monday authorized advertising for professional, preferably local, applicants to a new Design Review Committee.

City Manager Mike Daly said he would immediately advertise for prospective Committee members on the city website, and would place member selection on the City Council’s Aug. 22 agenda.

City Planner Susan Peters said the Architecture Regulations Committee recommended a five-member Design Review Committee, “ideally made up of two architects or designers, two people in the building industry, and one other interested citizen.”

Daly asked the council if all of the members should be Jackson residents, because it may be difficult to find some specialized professionals who reside in the city. He said some who were involved in the Regulation Committee “work here in the city, but don’t live in the city.”

Councilman Wayne Garibaldi wondered on a forward basis, over the next 10 years, if interest would be enough to keep the Committee filled. Daly said it was possible, but by example, the Architecture Regulations Committee had a lot of interest. The Regulation Committee also recommended the Design Review Committee.

Mayor Connie Gonsalves said they should go ahead and open it up for applications and “let’s see who we get. If we get 5 or 10 people, great, then we can choose” who we want. Garibaldi said he would prefer applicants be Jackson residents, then Amador County residents, without it being a requirement for eligibility. The council agreed.

Planning Commission Vice Chairwoman Kathryn Devlin said “this has been my baby for the last year,” and “thanks for your support.” Devlin said one Jackson architect “brings a bright light” to Committee work, but lives outside the city. She said she likes the idea of opening it up to see who applies.

In public comment, Judy Jebian raised concern about public involvement, and “possible conflicts of interest” for contractors, or people who “represent interests.”

Gonsalves said bimonthly meetings are open to the public. Sweet said there is no conflict of interest, unless they receive money from a project. He said they must step down, and cannot benefit from a project they review.

Councilman Pat Crew asked about the terms of service for the Design Review Committee. Daly suggested staggered two-year appointments, with 1-year, and 2-year appointments at first, to initiate staggering.

Daly said he will get the announcement onto the city website Tuesday (July 28) and “hopefully we’ll attract some new people.”

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.